Sien

As a unified imperial dynasty, the Great Yan Dynasty was bordered not only by several unfriendly neighbors such as Guyuan, but also by a handful of insignificant, tiny kingdoms. Di'an City was Great Yan's absolute political and economic center, so visitors from foreign lands dressed in exotic attire were no rare sight on its streets. Even so, a statuesque, blonde, blue-eyed foreign beauty like this woman, accompanied by a walking tin can clad head-to-toe in plate armor, was truly a first. The sprawling hall was dead silent, save for the heavy, muffled clanking of footsteps from the armored figure behind her. Of course, that was only on the surface. Thanks to his Heavenly Yan divine soul, Xu Yuan could clearly hear a flurry of whispered voice transmissions echoing across the room. "Are those two the seafaring guests staying at the Court of State Ceremonial?" "Looks like it. Blonde hair, blue eyes—they match the descriptions in the intelligence reports to a tee. Still, the two of them usually holed up in the Court of State Ceremonial and hardly ever stepped outside." "Perhaps some high-ranking figure in Di'an took an interest in the dynasty behind them. After all, they came all the way across the ocean and can fight the Wa people on equal footing across the sea. Their strength can't be weak." "True enough. If one could establish ties with them, there should be plenty of profit to be made." "What, is your Jiangnan Qi family interested in that business?" "Heh, interest is natural. My Qi family has been hacking down Wa people in Jiangnan for centuries. But His Majesty and the Chancellor have yet to clarify their stance toward this unfamiliar dynasty. Making unauthorized contact could easily mean swimming against the tide." "The Wa people are merely dogs that cannot stir up great waves, but this unknown dynasty might well be a tiger." "What if they are a tiger? Once the cancer of the sects is excised, even a dragon would have to coil meekly before our Great Yan." Yacui Palace was the most extravagant pure courtesan house in Di'an City; guests who frequented this place were either wealthy or noble. The war on Dongying Island had already raged for a year, and through their own channels, they had all gathered some intelligence about it. Amid these hushed discussions, there was neither awe for the blonde woman's breathtaking beauty nor probing into who she had come to meet. There were only concise analyses and thinly veiled contempt for foreigners. Xu Yuan reined in his Heavenly Yan divine soul, and the murmurs faded from his ears. His gaze swept with keen interest between the two foreign guests before he asked Li Junqing in a low voice, "Your Highness, are these two the distinguished guests you're hosting tonight?" Rather than answering, Li Junqing sent back a voice transmission laden with helplessness: "The ancients truly didn't lie when they said scourges live for a thousand years. But Xu Changtian, acting so recklessly tonight, aren't you afraid this prince might report this to my imperial father?" Evidently, he was thoroughly vexed by Xu Yuan's haunting persistence. Xu Yuan chuckled softly, replying via voice transmission with unbothered ease: "I came to you because I trust you. But if you wish to speak, go right ahead. Only, if you do, you almost certainly won't be going to Dongying—you'll rot away in Di'an City for the rest of your days." "......" Li Junqing's facial muscles twitched. He cursed inwardly, yet outwardly he merely sighed and asked, "Speak. What did you come here to ask of me?" "To make a deal with you," Xu Yuan said. A deal? Li Junqing's brows twitched upward. Watching the two figures draw closer, he pondered for a moment. "I'm afraid now isn't the time. We can talk in detail once they leave." "Oh? Does that mean you're allowing me to listen in on your conversation?" "Tsk. If I said no, would you leave?" "No." "Then that settles it." As Li Junqing spoke, he glanced down at his wrist, which Xu Yuan was still holding tightly. "Grand Young Master Xu, let go. I don't want anyone mistaking me for having a fondness for men." At that, Xu Yuan chuckled and released his grip, rising from the divan. He asked casually, "Are you interested in that blonde woman?" Li Junqing straightened his slightly disheveled dark blue patterned robes. "A little, naturally. As you can see, she is exceptionally good-looking." With that, he shot a sideways glance at Xu Yuan and gave a lecherous smirk. "Why, are you interested as well?" Xu Yuan rolled his eyes. "Do you think my current identity allows me to force myself on anyone?" Li Junqing looked Xu Yuan's current guise up and down, then shook his head. "Lacking in every regard. She is the Third Princess of that so-called Kingdom of Sien, said to be fourth in line to the imperial throne." "Imperial throne?" Xu Yuan's curiosity was piqued. "Was this claim to an imperial throne bestowed by your imperial father, or did they petition for it themselves?" The ancestral rites of Great Yan were exceedingly intricate, strictly regulating the titles used for foreign nations and their political leaders. Officials of the Court of State Ceremonial had to adhere rigidly to these protocols when submitting memorials. Within the Great Yan Dynasty, the titles of Di, Huang, and Wang were not merely different constitutional terms as in Xu Yuan's previous life; they were direct indicators of power. The title of Di could only be borne by the Son of Heaven of Great Yan, while the surrounding non-human and foreign rulers were merely titled Wang. The Dachao Royal Court and the Barbarian Heterodox Kings all fell under this rule. The sole exception was Guyuan, whose sovereign of the demon race was recognized by the imperial court of Great Yan as Demon Emperor. And now, this seafaring Kingdom of Sien claimed imperial standing as well? Li Junqing glanced toward the two Sien envoys, who were now barely fifty feet away, and murmured, "Those foreigners know nothing of Great Yan's rites and etiquette. Naturally, it was bestowed by my imperial father." Hearing this, Xu Yuan smiled. "Then it seems your imperial family truly holds the Kingdom of Sien's strength in high regard." "Isn't your Prime Minister's Manor the same?" Li Junqing offered a hollow smile. Xu Yuan spoke candidly. "My father doesn't seem to have any intention of making moves there for the time being." At this stage, the Chancellor's Manor focused all its efforts within the borders of Great Yan. Internal reports and memorials in the study contained only sparse mentions of the war in Dongying—at least among those delivered to the inner study of the Prime Minister's Manor. Li Junqing frowned slightly. "The Chancellor doesn't plan to intervene in Dongying's affairs?" Xu Yuan replied softly, "Even if this Kingdom of Sien manages to swallow Dongying Island whole, they won't be able to digest it without at least thirty years." Here, Xu Yuan shifted the conversation with a grin. "Of course, just because my father doesn't plan to intervene doesn't mean I won't." Li Junqing laughed, his amusement laced with mockery. "Without leaning on the Chancellor's Manor, how do you plan to intervene in the war on Dongying Island?" "Through you as my conduit, of course." "......" Li Junqing fell silent. Xu Yuan patted his shoulder and smiled. "That is precisely what I came to discuss with you tonight. Tsk, don't look at me like that. I won't take advantage of you this time, and I can assure you it will be a win-win for both of us. "All right, your guests have arrived. You're the host tonight—aren't you going to greet them?" With those words, Xu Yuan shifted his faint gold-tinted gaze past the walking tin can, who carried a faint trace of danger, and settled upon the leading blonde woman. Immediately, his brow furrowed. This stunning blonde princess was actually a mortal.